UDS Makes History as First African Champions of the World University Games Football Tournament
The University for Development Studies (UDS) has etched its name in history as the first African champions of the FISU World University Football Tournament, clinching a thrilling 2-1 victory over Brazil’s Paulista University in the final.
Played in front of nearly 23,000 fans, the match started with a shocking twist for UDS. Just 30 seconds in, Paulista’s Gabriel Viera capitalized on a defensive lapse, expertly lobbing goalkeeper Emmanuel Edo to give his team an early lead. However, UDS, under the guidance of coach Ibrahim Tanko, quickly regrouped and began to dominate possession, creating several scoring opportunities.
Despite their relentless pressure, it wasn’t until stoppage time that UDS found the equalizer. In the 93rd minute, Frimpong dribbled past a defender and forced a save from Paulista’s goalkeeper, which fell kindly to captain Mohammed Sulemana. Sulemana made no mistake from close range, sending the match into extra time.
The additional period saw UDS continue to press, but Paulista’s goalkeeper, Silva, made several critical saves to keep his team in contention. The tide turned in the 121st minute when Ezedeen Alhassan’s corner kick proved too difficult for Silva to handle, slipping through his grasp and into the net. This dramatic late goal sent the UDS bench into wild celebrations and secured their historic victory.
UDS’s journey to glory included a tense semi-final against Spain’s University of Granada, which ended goalless. The team held their nerve to win 5-4 on penalties, thanks to the heroics of goalkeeper Emmanuel Edo.
This victory not only dethroned the defending champions, Paulista University, but also represents a defining moment for African university football, marking UDS as the continent’s first-ever winners of the prestigious tournament. The achievement is expected to inspire future generations of African footballers and elevate the profile of university football within the continent.
